Is twenty six years a long time?

Suppose it depends on what you are doing.
Like being alive - no, not a long time.
Growing a beard? A very long time.
Being a tree? A good long time.
Being married?
I don't know!

Seems like it's about a long time, but not really.

We went out to dinner and shared a meal (it's costly these days to do anything! Even go to Barnes and Noble.) We sat at the bar because we weren't dressed up, but this is a nice little place right down our street. We were going to order take out, but the atmosphere was relaxed and because it was a Thursday night, not crowded, and we didn't feel out of place so much.

And I didn't realize that people at the bar, talk to each other like they are old friends whether they know each other or not. It's was kind of refreshing in a way. It was not a 'bar' type atmosphere, just a nice little restaurant.

The lady who tended the bar gave us a free (huge, giant) chocolate chip cookie because it was our anniversary. I thought that was nice. We brought that home to Madam Blueberry, and this made her very happy.

So what's it like to be married for 26 years?

I'll have to think about that answer.

Easy Peasy Meal - Meatlballs

I get raves every time I fix this - and it's so easy, I can't take any credit.
I'll share it here as I think, it's one of those recipes that once you make it, you can go wild and add what you want.

Frozen Meatballs (1/2 a package)
One package of Au Jus gravy
One can cream of potato soup
one medium onion chopped fine
three cloves of garlic chopped
3 cups of water

One crock pot (if you don't have a crock pot, you have to stay home while it cooks on the stove)

Mix the liquid ingredients in the crock pot.
Add onions and garlic, stir well.
Add meatballs.

Turn crock pot on low and forget about it for five hours. If you need to get it jump started, you can put it on high for less time. Maybe on high for the first hour and then turn it down. Whatever. I think it will turn out just fine.

Sometimes I add a tsp of crushed red pepper for a nice bit of pizazz. You can add carrots and celery, or whatever veggies are left in the 'fridge (cut them small so they will cook through in the amount of time you are leaving the crock pot on.) I think even corn would work. It's just one of those recipes ...

You can serve this with anything. Rice, potatoes, noodles, garlic bread and a veggie (or not if you have enough in the pot), or just put them in a sub with some melted cheese.

I often make the whole package of meatballs and then just double the rest of the stuff. I put the extra in the freezer for the next week.


The Frozen Meatballs are precooked, so if you make your own, just put a bunch in the freezer and add them to the crock pot with the other ingredients.

Nothin' to it,
But to do it ...

Friday after Fay

This was one of those days. One of those days in which you had a million plans and you didn't do any of those things.

I got up late. I made coffee.

Then, there's a major blank. Somewhere between getting up and almost noon, a friend I was going to visit called and told me she wouldn't be home. Drat! I thought, I just lost my last incentive for getting out of the house today!

I had thought I would go to the hospital to take my mother in law some decent food, as she says there is none in there, but I found out that my father in law was going to be released today - so needing an incentive still to get out the door -

I decided to mow the lawn. Not my lawn. My mother in law's lawn. Have I ever mentioned that I am not gifted in this area? Mowers and Me. That was not a book written with me in mind.

This mower we have is a push kind with some kind of automatic 'bar' thing, that if you hold it in, the mower goes by itself. Sorta. It doesn't necessarily go the right way. It just goes somewhere. Like into the flower beds and over flowers, and maybe my mother in law will be so tired she won't notice those huge divots in her yard.

Luckily for all concerned, the mower ran out of gas. I have concluded that I am in terrible shape physically.

When my mother in law found out I ran out of gas, she told me there was more in the shed. I told her it was raining.

In the real picture, I did get some things done. I did not spend the day doing nothing. But, in the abstract of the picture, I didn't accomplish the things I was hoping to accomplish --

and I think, what it is, is that I'm going to have to be in the mood to do those things.

However, that is not a good thing -

"...don't wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work. - Pearl Buck

Those things are not ingrained habit things. Those things are outside of the discipline of my character things. Those things are a struggle for me, still.

But, one day! It may not be this day! But one day - and soon! I shall move past this place and into that place of ... what was I talking about again? Oh yeah, doing things I don't want to do ...

So when I do that ...

I'll probably blog about it here.

You're never to young for a ....

Pacemaker? Well, apparently not. See that fellow in the blue shirt and the khaki pants up there dancing? ...the one coming around in the swing with a smile...

Yeah, that guy,

That's my father in law. He's 91. He's been having trouble with his heart not pumping right for a little while now, so in an effort to stop going to the ER at 1 in the AM, like we did again this Sunday, the doctors put a pace maker in his Irish heart this morning.

Hope to see him dancing again soon!

The Twilight Series

Well, I've pretty much decided that I won't bother with reading the rest of this series. I read the first book, Twilight by Stephenie Meyers, and it was okay (I was on vacation, relaxing by a pool in the most beautiful weather; had I not been on vacation, I'm not sure I would have stuck with it.)

I kept waiting for the story to evolve. I could see good things in there to address - like the differences that people feel about 'groups' and how we label people to protect ourselves - And each time I put it down, I thought, well surely, this next chapter ...

but, it stayed a teenage love story with the heroine Bella keeping secrets from her father, all the while her boyfriend, the Vampire Edward, wanted her to share with her father the fact that he was in her life (I realize, now, how mature he was as he was likely hundreds of years old!).

And then, Bella almost gets killed, how many times, I can't remember?; and there, always to save her with his super V-powers (like flying and mind reading and all general coolness), is her Vampire Hero.

He's a good Vampire, as he doesn't feed on people, but still, this seems like a precedent that is going to become an annoying hardship in the relationship - Kinda of like a Lois Lane-Superman situation falling into style. Poor Edward! His only job will be rescuing the clumsy, beautiful Bella!

Anyway, the reason I'm not going on with the series is (mostly) because the people I know that have read the other two books don't seem all that blown away. And, I think I can predict the ending. So, I'm thinking, why bother.

I have read reviews on line for the next two books and there are people raving; I suppose because I wasn't burned deeply with passion for the first book, I'll most likely pass for now.

But, to each their own.

For the people who love the books, they have found that something wonderful to experience in finding a book series that keeps you engrossed - And That,
now, that,
is (maybe) better than dark chocolate!~

Tropical Storm Fay is passing by

When you name weather, it must get really angry. Outside, Tropical Storm Fay sounds just like a hurricane. There are sheets of water over the windows, and I can't see my road. There are warnings everywhere for everything, but yet,

Mr. B's place of employment said they had to report to work today. (Good Grief) And when the men got there, risking life through this torrential dangerous weather, they said, 'Go on home, we have no work today.'

Mr. B had givin his notice last Friday, and why he bothered to drive down there today (45 minutes at 6 AM into a worse part of the storm), I do not know. Something to do with being an honorable man, but sometimes these lines get all blurry for me.

Those are man's lines. And man, is a lot of times, an idiot. Well, actually, when man gets involved with money, or a corporation... the idiocy has a much better chance of showing itself.

We will most likely lose power. I've got the coffee on.

It's a new day

Enjoy it.
Whatever happened yesterday that was bad, forget about it.
Think good thoughts,
Do good things
for yourself and others,
Smile and wave,
Eat chocolate,
Do a little dance,
Drink water,
Read a poem,
Start a new book,
Memorize something,
Smell a flower,
Don't watch television,
Draw a picture,
Learn something new,
The past is done,
The time is now,
Only now,
Live like you believe that.

If this is Thursday....

I don't know why, but I feel likes it's Monday. Although, I wish it were Friday, but I'm not sure why about either of those thoughts.

I really have much going on, and much that I need to do, and some that I want to do.

The Doctor appointments are really cutting into my time! I decided to make the most of the physical therapy, and I consider that my work out time (I mean, they do have me on the exercise bike for 10 minutes,you know?) But the driving to and fro - bummer at today's gas prices and then the time crunch - well, I listen to audio tapes, but still,

what is neglected is my house and spending time with my daughter! Who doesn't really mind because summer is almost over and her boyfriend (of 2 years) is over a lot and soon that will change. Actually, next week school will start here.

My house - Oh, I can't even go there. I've had two cups of coffee, and I still haven't cranked up to Flylady.net speed this AM. But she is the real deal should anyone have the desire to get it all together. I trust her completely to keep me on track.

My cards and letter pile to write is high.
My bills - yikes!
My yard! - double yikes! But it's been raining and doctor says I can't do what I wish to right now! Wah.

What else can I complain about this morning? Ha. Ha. Not a durned thing.

Because the bottom line is -

It's all good.

A Good Thing to do:

Positive thoughts, train them into your brain. Squash those negative thoughts, stop them in their tracks and reroute them or rephrase them - what do you need them for anyway? Can you answer that question? Let me know if you can find a reason because I cannot.

In the words of Henry Ford - If you say you can't, then you can't.

There. Can't be much simpler than that, now can it?

The True Neverending Story

Remember the book, or the movie, The Neverending Story? For me, that would be Motherhood. I am the motherboard and gladly connected to the hearts of my children. I will love them no matter what, no matter when, no matter where, I will love them.

The connection I have may be one that some people might not understand. I don't really understand it either! I just know it's big, it's HUGE, it's bigger than I ever, EVER imagined a feeling could be. How can you know this will happen to you?

It's like it took wings. And then, it took off, and it's still flying. The neverlanding plane from heart to heaven to God's eternal home in the sky.

I am thinking about this so much lately because of their ages, the time has come to let them go. Let them fly away on their own, live their lives as they will, choose their mates, and extend their families. Which to me, is only more love added.

No matter how it all presents itself, I shall be blessed

Happy Birthday, Nanette

Today is my sister's birthday.

I'm not even sure how old she is any more! I just know she is a very special person to me, a really terrific friend, and someone with whom I can share the deep things of my life.

I am so proud of her and her accomplishments. I am extrememly happy when she comes to visit, or I can visit her. We always have a good time, drink some wine, share some jokes and gain weight. (drat! why is that!)

As my younger sister, she has had to put up with me always, always, _always_ nosing into her business. She tells me something and I say, "well, here's what you should do...." Poor Nana, never has a chance. Big sister is, like, in the roll of being "in charged" of her. But, I did find out from her, recently, that she is very used to my doing that and doesn't resent it all that much. That is a load off my mind!

So, Happy Birthday my darling, beautiful sister. May this day and every day be filled with joy and love. May the sun shine sweetly at you in the morning and may the stars bid you a restful night's sleep. Know in your heart, that all is well.
And may the Lord continue to bless you and keep you close.

This is William....

...he eats fire.

(Editor's note: William is a street performer in Key West. He put on a really great show. And I thank the Gypsy for helping me clarify)

Thirty two years ago today,,,

...my heart was opened wide, and it seems like it was placed outside of my body, and given into the hands of a tiny, little being. I became a mother for the very first time.

I am sitting here trying to think of how to describe the part of the world that became alive to me. I can't find the words to capture or frame how it felt to hold in my arms that small precious infant being.

I am glad that God has allowed me to remember all the details of those days, those first moments, those first everythings. I am forever thankful, forever blessed, and forever will I feel special to have the experience of being a mother. There is no other experience to replace it, none like it, none as fulfilling that I have known.

I love my children. They have my heart, and they always will.

Happy Birthday to my first born son. Happy, Happy Birthday.

A house in my childhood

My parents were married in this house. The house was built by my great grandfather. We are not sure when. It's fun to try and figure out the dates and all. My family was one of the early Key West families. My grandfather was born in 1908, so somewhere before that, this little white house was built.

It was weird when I saw it this weekend. Somehow, along the lines of time, the house got tiny!! I remember this house as HUGE -- running through it barefoot with my cousins in tow. Those were the days when Key West was, well, something it's not today. It was just a small beach town and we walked everywhere in our bathing suits and in barefeet that never complained. Not worrying about one thing in the whole wide world.

Pirates off the coast of Key West

Even further south

... from where I live in Florida, are the Keys. So that's where I'll be for a few days.

Kenny and Kody, alert, your letters are in the mailbox.

Grandma Rita and Madam B will keep an eye on all my beautiful plants.

Stocked up the fridge for Mr. B, just to make it a bit easier for him.

So all should be well ~

Listen to my good friend Albert Einstein:

There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.


Miss Roxie says, "Choose Wisely."

First day of August 2008

Let's see ~
Ten things about August ...
okay, well maybe not ten...

1. I will be writing to Kenny and Kody this week. Kenny is patiently waiting for me to send him his reward letter for his hard work on his book reading. And Kody did come through and sent me a letter, also! I better send out two to make up for lost time!

2. Two birthdays in August. My sister and #1 son.

3. I am going to the Keys for a week. Hooray.

4. After I get back from the Keys, I have to continue more therapy for my foot, and get the results of the MRI and see a neurologist, (and regarding that, my guess is that I injured myself gardening. I should write a book about "How Not to Garden" or "Ways to avoid the Doctor While Gardening" - and I may have carpal tunnel, but like, who doesn't?)

5. My foot therapy - what a riot. I have three more weeks of therapy~ and after three days, my hip is hurting and I was so frazzled yesterday after so many extra things and doctor appointments thrown in my life's mix, that I locked my keys in my car!

But, in the end, it's like a little mini workout time at the gym. Not a bad deal at all.

6. Is there six? I miss my gardening. Is this how injured sports players feel? Hahaha. I wonder.

Cats Who Study....

...are smarter than cats who don't.

(Warning: some cats may appear to be sleeping on books. Same thing. Also, cats are well known for reading upside down. In their sleep.)

Hey Dude, Where's my Monday?

I was supposed to hook up with Flylady and clean 15 minutes of clutter in my living room today. I don't know what happened. I did do the daily load of laundry and some stretching. I know I did some other stuff. Drat! I should have blogged this morning, then I could remember what I did!

I got up early. I know that.
And then,
I don't know what happened.

I know I had a doctor's appointment today. It was the orthopedic surgeon. I went for a follow up for some pain in my neck and arm and hand. Anyway, now I have to get an MRI - geesh.

It's like just when you are at the age of feeling content with your mind and spirit, your body goes haywire! I know this is from the gardening. The digging with the shovel. I know it is. I'm not a construction worker. My frame is not made for it. Drat. Oh well - that's the way it goes. (And doctor bills, ahhhh, no mercy)

And tomorrow, I start physical therapy for my foot. This should be interesting. If this works to take the pain away, I will be surprised, surprised, surprised.

Also, I pick up my orthodetics. Those inserts that go in ugly shoes. And they are telling me I have to pay for them. Duh. I already paid for them. This should also be interesting.
And. I have to pay _up front_ for the MRI! Good grief. I mean, my insurance company is not the greatest with the friendly benefits. Basically, Blue Cross Blue Shield gets you in the door. I'm charming and have a good payments reputation. I may be able to talk them into something else.

Six quirky things

...about me.

Tim's Mom tagged me to write six quirky things about me.

Here are the rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself.
4) Tag 6 other blogger's by linking to them.
5) Go to each person's blog and leave a comment that lets them know they've been tagged.

So 6 uninteresting quirky facts about myself are . . .

1. I make my husband weird lunches with stuff that's left in the 'fridge. Yesterday, it was two slices of turkey, a left over cooked hamburger with cheese melted on it, lettuce, sliced onion, sliced red pepper, banana pepper juice (as there were no more peppers left in the jar), with hot mustard on rye.

2. I don't like other people's germs. I have to make myself not think about other people's germs. I could easily be phobic.

3. I really don't like telling people long stories unless they are funny or really interesting. And then I don't like being interrupted. I am polite about this, but I really get annoyed when people interject their great stuff into my great story. But in the end, they never know.

4. I like coffee fresh. When people offer me coffee, I find a polite way to ask 'how old is this coffee?'

5. I am a (retired) hairdresser. I don't mind cutting people's hair. But I am a quirky mess about touching hair that's not freshly washed. Maybe that's the germ thing, though.

6. I wish someone would massage my feet.

I don't have anyone to tag.

That is a photo of Pickles. I call it 'Fat Cat in a Chair'

Half the year

Do we realize that half the year is gone? Where did it go? I am grateful for my blog so I can at least remember some of it!

I had a wonderful visit with my sister last week. She came to visit and stayed part time with my mom and part time with me. We enjoyed our time together, and it went by some quickly. I do love my sister.

This week I'll spend time getting my house back in order. Flylady.net is focused on the living room, so that will be good. I'll pull in Madam Blueberry to help me, so maybe we'll get some other things accomplished ... maybe.

I have to post my 6 quirky things about me as I've been tagged by Tim's Mom, but I like to figure out that linking inability first.

Let's see, follow up on doctor today, bank, bills to pay, letters to write, grocery shopping, meal planning ...

But I got some new plants in. That was fun. Things are looking good out there! I'm working on a couple of new themes. Making a new area for a butterfly garden. I have already attracted two new species of butterfly. That is amazing to me!

It was a good half a year. I am looking forward to the next.

But here I am today. Yeah. I will enjoy it.

This is beautiful

This is a beautiful view of the earth. The music is lovely.

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. ~~ Psalm 24:1

Free Rice

I found this site while looking around at some gardening blogs.

It's called Free Rice.

I happened upon it from a blog that is written by the daughter of one of the gardening bloggers, but I have lost the link for her. When I come upon it, I'll post it. She's a young writer and is reviewing books. Very interesting.

Are some days like this?

What Kind of Spice Are You?

You Are Basil

You are quite popular and loved by post people. You have a mild temperament, but your style is definitely distinctive. You are sweet, attractive, and you often smell good.

What Spice Are You?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Basil is so easy to grow! It requires so little care. It blooms and blossoms and provides such flavor, and I love the smell. I don't mind being Basil!

More rain on Wednesday

That's an old photo I just came across of Bill and Sean. It's probably about 4 or 5 years old. I lost a bunch of my photos in files. I thought about this one recently, too, when Sean and Kellie (Sean's girlfriend) were going to jump from an airplane last Friday. However,

Sean and Kellie didn't jump. The weather was not considered good enough. Oh,happy day. But that's all postponed, as they want to do this in a couple of weeks. Right now, they are planning on vacationing with her family in North Carolina where they will ride wild horses. At least, they are on the ground.

Bill and Adrienne are in St. Petersburg on a business trip. Their little doggie, Cooper, is here at my house. I have realized that they have a bad leaving strategy. They brought Cooper over here. Said good-bye and 'stay' to Cooper and went out the door.

He went immediately into my bedroom and pooped on the floor.

I think a better plan would be, to leave him at home, as they go out all the time, and then let one of us go over and get him; then bring him over here. I think then, he wouldn't feel rejected or left behind. But, what do I know about dogs?

I just thinking that my plan would be more like a rescue than a leaving.

July 18, 2008

My darling adventurous #2 son, is planning on celebrating the one year of his anniversary, of meeting the girl he is crazy about, by together, jumping out of an airplane. I don't quite see the logic, but sounds as if precedents are being set here.

So. 9 AM tomorrow morning in Miami, they will jump together out into the sky. I'm not surprised that Sean would want to do this. This is the boy he is. He is blessed with kinesthetic intelligence. And he has always wanted to fly jets and jump out of a plane!

So. I'm not surprised.

But tomorrow I'll be praying, as soon as I finish my prayers from tonight, and spend my day waiting for the call and the invitation to view the video that will be taken of their flight, as you can jump with a camera on your head! What a world we live in.

I know that after tomorrow, nothing for them will ever be the same!

Lions for Lambs

This is one of those films that dropped off quickly from the box office being given really bad reviews. Actually, I don't recall one good review.

I saw it last night. I liked it. I didn't like what it said, though; the film is on a topic that can make you uncomfortable. It said, pretty much, if you do nothing for your country, just what do you expect? If you talk the talk without walking any kind of walk, what do you expect? Do you believe what the media writes? How do you know it's true? Where have you been? What have you done to say you know what is right?

It asked all those questions and more.
Who is accountable?
Are we accountable for nothing in our country?
It's almost like you can't even say, "oh well, I vote." Then, it's "well good for you...now, what do you really know about what you are voting for or whom?"

There are overlapping stories in the movie that show we are all one if you look hard enough. A political science professor (Robert Redford), a Republican Senator (Tom Cruise) and a journalist who has seen and heard probably all the bs (Meryl Streep) try to cope with the places they are in life right now. They are different ages and have seen different times, but all can and are affecting the world right now.

I found it thought provoking.

Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise and a very good unknown supporting cast.

Part of the bad wrap was the fact that the film was said not to be entertaining, that it went around in circles, well, know what? So does the world, just keeps spinning 'round.

Joe Cool The Magic Boy

Okay. So now I love Flylady

(That's Jasper wondering what all the fruckus is about just because he wants to sleep in the bathroom sink!)

Flylady.net. The place to go if you really, really, really have a desire to get your house up to standards that you and your family deserve. My friend, Leslie (Tim's Mom) told me about her years ago. Flylady starts off with making your kitchen sink shiny. I guess I was not emotionally mature enough to handle her the first time around! Now, I love my shiny sink. My. How I have grown.

She was about to drive me mad at the start of the reintroduction, though. Every night, telling me to go to bed (albeit she be right, mate!), and every morning, telling me to "swish and wipe", and clean my sink -- grrrr -- but she was right, is right, I should say!

In the end, it's all about habits. Small little habits that you need to form early, that would be helpful, but if you did not, NOT to worry -- you can retrain that ole brain of yours. Don't ever think you can't! As Henry Ford said, "If you think you can't, then you can't."

It's a recipe for disaster if you think you can't and keep telling yourself you can't about doing things. If you really want to do them, then, my guess is, as uneducated as it might be, is that you can!

I'm going to take the evening off and watch a movie with Mr. B. Lions and Lambs. My sister said it was good, so that's all I need to know. Ready for a glass of wine and some relaxation time.

Joni Mitchell: Rock Photo, June 1985

JMDL Library: Joni Mitchell: Rock Photo, June 1985

If you scroll down this article, you will see a photo of Jackson Browne that Joni Mitchell took. It is a double exposure that turned out very cool.

Random acts of thinking

1. Visited Barnes and Noble three times last week with my nephews. I had a few books one day piled next to me. But, I meet this very interesting young mother with her two darling children and talked with her for about three hours. Books are great, and I love them. But, people...people are unique, charming and wonderfully irreplaceable.

I may never see this young lady again, but I know that I will never forget her. The Beautiful Margaret.

2. My pain threshold shot past where I could stand it, and I found myself spiraled back to the orthopedic doctor again. It's steriods and anti-inflammatory meds, again, heavy doses for two weeks, and then I have another visit, and we will decide a course of action.

I did like his attitude, though; he thinks all will be well, if I just DO WHAT HE SAYS. He says I am aggravating *my condition.* That made me think of that song line, "I just dropped in, to see what condition my condition was in..."

So, I'll give it a try. Which means, no gardening. Blahs on that. But it's raining this week, so, maybe that's a good thing.

3. The Twilight Series. Every time I turn around, I hear about it. I guess I'll go ahead and read it.

Madam Blueberry was all excited when I told her that the hard cover of, I think it's the third book?, has an iron on decal with the names Edward and Jacob, so you can choose which one you support. The Beautiful Margaret told me this. She was reading the series, too!

4. I mailed Kenny his next letter in the series of his money making deal with The Great Aunt Sasha (that is moi). Let's see how he fairs. I sent him a list of questions to be answered from the book What Your Second Grader Needs to Know.

Kenny is tough. And smart. I am interested to see what he sends back to me!

5. I was just thinking about Sean, and he walked in the door! Wow, these steriods have given me super powers!

What kind of flower are you?

I am a Daisy What Flower Are You?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You are just a sweet person. When a friend needs a shoulder to cry on, you are happy to offer yours with a box of tissues as well. Once in awhile, you wish you could be a little more dramatic but then sensibility sets back in and you know that you are perfect the way you are."

Leftovers

Cheese and crackers. June is done! Good Grief. Has anyone started their Christmas shopping yet? I mean, it will be time to be searching for those special cookies recipes and asking each other 'what are we going to get grandma this year' purr rity soon...I kid you not.

I am getting bogged down again, so I signed on with FlyLady.com. And now, I remember what it was, when I signed on years ago, that I didn't stick with her.

Oh, her instructions and ideas are all good! But those first few days your inbox is filled, filled, and filled! with emails telling you fairly much the same thing over and over, but it's all good advice, no denying that, it just gets overwhelming, and they send you an email at 10 o'clock every night and tell you to go to bed! Which, they are probably right about -
and I will go to bed in a minute...

This time of the evening I use my lap top without the cord plugged in so that helps me put it away within an hour because that is already the only amount of juice I will have.

so, right now, these days, it's all about tricking myself and making these little side deals with Fly Lady to clean my sink (made it two days now!) but my big job - my desk - is coming up. I'm giving myself a month. I really don't know if that's to long or to short, but it sounds realistic to me now.

Most likely the only reason I'm thinking about it so much is that I am stuck inside because of the rain. I was able to clear our some overgrown areas and I was glad about that. Put in an Avocado tree, wonderful ...It's just a never ending palate out there, and I love it.

~~I wrote that the other night...
today I moved that twisty lavender tree off my porch. And yesterday, I cleaned out some beds and clipped back some things and transplanted several things so I could put the tree where I decided to put it. I was outside for about 5 hours and I didn't really want to come in. But I knew, the body can only take so much.

It's really my fingers that hurt. Mr. B's says it's just like any other muscle and that because I'm using it so much in one day, it hurts. I hope he is right. I'm hoping it's not like arthritis or something like that.

My father in law said to me yesterday, "I had no idea you liked this kind of thing" (meaning gardening),
and I said, "well,
you know...
I had other stuff to do before. I needed to get my kids off the ground. Now I have time for this."

I do not regret a single minute I spent at home with my kids. Not one teeny tiny single moment. And I would do it all again, and this time, I'd pay even more attention.

That time goes by so fast - hug 'em and love 'em while you got 'em.

I have to plant a tree...

...and I'm not in the mood for a cook out.

Actually, I think what is "wrong with me" is that I have not been out in my garden - working!! It's been raining, raining, raining, and that's really a good time to go out and dig, but it's just not worked out for me.

But here's the deal - my thing I have to do...I have a tree on my porch (The tree in the photo), and I really should not have done this, but, I love the way it twist and turns its self, and for some reason, I don't know why, I'm losing my mind? I saw it in a dream? Like I said, I don't know...

but I decided I wanted that tree growing right up on my porch, but when Mr. B saw what I had done i.e. stapling that tree to the outside of the porch area, (that second photo is the tree tacked up to the porch),

and he said, "oh, why did you do that?" He said it very quietly, but this lead me to believe that maybe it was not such a good idea? He denies that he meant anything at all, but come on, after 25 years? I can take a hint.

So, tomorrow, I have a day off...
so I need to plant this tree.

Not in the mood

I have not been in the mood for blogging. I have had a lot on my mind and perhaps, too much on my mind, and therefore, it just piles high and spills over into a mishmash of nonsense. Nonsense. Ummm, now that's a word I haven't used in a long time...

Mr. B switched the functions of two rooms in our tiny house. He moved our bedroom into a bit bigger room and put his speakers and a TV and other audio equipment in the smaller room and made himself a Music Room.

And I have discovered something about myself. I am jealous! I am jealous of the fact that he can, physically do these things! There is no way I could move the furniture he did from one room to another without hiring a crew! And he did it all in one day -- And, he didn't decide to do it until 1 in the afternoon!

I think about what I would be like if I was strong - like bull! I don't have hedges in my front yard yet because I can't dig the holes! I find this very frustrating. But I suppose I should not dwell on it.

I know that the tasks that lie ahead of me for the next week are the things that are boring to me. So I am dancing around them like a silly butterfly. Like putting stuff away and organizing things in a way I will remember where they are. I have no idea what is the missing function in my brain that makes that so difficult!

I shall not ponder that right now. I must get about the business of straighting up this place. Again ....

And blogger is doing weird things here. I just tried to add a link and couldn't; I tell ya', it's tough some days!

Weeds love the rain and Cake

Oh they do, oh they do....

It's been a rainy week in South Florida. My plants looks great, my mother in law mowed my lawn (how's that for living in heaven?) and my weeds are loving every single minute of this!! They try so hard to compete for the space, I almost hate to yank them out!

Lots of people mulch. And, they say that helps with weeds maintenance and with keeping the ground moist for the roots of the plants and all. I am not against mulching, but I prefer ground cover. I love it.

It's gives my garden a richer feel. I like the look of growing things in the spaces, rather than mulch. It's just a preference. It's means nothing in the larger scale of things.

I love blue drawf. That's my absolute favorite ground cover, along with portulaca or moss rose, it's sometimes called. I have pink, yellow and orange.

A friend asked me, 'wouldn't ground cover be like weeds and try to take the nutrients from your plants?' "Well," said I, I as in the me person who doesn't really follow all the gardening rules, "it's prettier, to me; I think it's cheaper, and it seems that many ground cover plants don't have deep roots like weeds do."

But, what do I know? I feed my plants coffee grounds, banana peels and tea bags. My roses seem fine growing in between the blue drawf and the moss rose. What can I say? Maybe we are all kind of weird here...

Today I found out I will be getting some free cake! --

Here's what happened:

I decided that I wanted to make a kind of special treat for Rita and Steve, my in laws, who live next door; I mean, after all, she mowed my lawn, you know?. And they like plums and different fruits, too.

I found this recipe for a kind of muffin that had a plum inside. But , I couldn't find the kind of tin I needed to bake this muffin thing in without going out to buy one, and I didn't want to do that, unless I find time to go to the thrift shops. (I've been listening to my sister the Freegan)

I saw on the back of a pound cake recipe that you could bake the pound cake in a 9 x 5" pan as a loaf (and I have a loaf pan! Hallejulah!)

, and I got this idea that I could put the plums on the top and make it be this Plum Loaf Cake. It sort of worked, but it made a huge mess in my oven.

The cake mix, I made correctly, and the pan size was correct, but the cake just kind of 'sploded all inside my oven. It ran everywhere! (But it was good smelling and tasted great!!)

I put in the mix, and layered the plums on the top (cut them in quarter sections) and then sprinkled them with cinnamon sugar. and let it bake. Like a pineapple upside down cake, the fruit doesn't stay on the top.

Anyway, I decided to call the Betty Crocker people and tell them what happened. I asked them if maybe it was because I used a glass pan. They couldn't find anything wrong in what I had done, they apologized and said they would send me a coupon for a another cake mix. I thought that was nice. But, I really wonder if it happened because I used a glass loaf pan? They said, 'no' that they don't know what went wrong. (we remeasured the pan from every angle while they had me on the phone.

Rita and Steve LOVED my Plum Loaf Cake! I'm going to make it again, only next time in something else. I'll post a photo. It's very pretty and very, very tasty.

Mr. Podiatrist Head

I did go to the foot doctor today. I have found out that I have 'deformed feet'. Are your second and third toes longer than you big toe? Well, if they are....your feet are 'deformed'. His word, not mine.

He was a young man, but hopefully, he does know what he is doing, even if he doesn't have a keen sense of wording in his deliverance to you of your condition.

There are many different reactions you get from people when you tell them you are going to a podiatrist without being sent to one because of some reason that someone else with a medical degree discovered. But oh well, I knew that something was wrong. After 6 decades of standing on these long skinny things ~ they were beginning to speak to me. And they said, "man, you gotta sit down. we can't stand here anymore, and don't even try to dance..."

And I am to fidgety to do that, ~ I gotta dance~ so, Mr. Podiatrist has convinced me I need some man made support. The support system he proposes is not cheap (and you don't even get to choose colors or fabric!), and of course, my insurance company, Blue In the Face Blue Cheapos, will not cover his suggestion not even a tiny bit. Not a percentage, not a tittle, not a mark! Cheapos!

The Insurance Company must think that Mr. Podiatrist doesn't know what he's doing. Otherwise, one would think, that they would help give one what a Professional Foot Doctor says one needs, I mean, as far as I can have a knowledge of things....I would think an insurance company would WANT to help your FEET. Gladly. But no.

So, I made arrangements to get a second mortgage on the homestead, so I can get these things for my feet that are going to change my life, that only go in ugly shoes, no cool shoes, of course, as those would cost $250.00 more for extra special made ones, and which, of course, they won't even order ANYTHING until you Pay In Full for EVERYTHING, sign over your car and give them the keys to your storage shed....and in three weeks I will have a brand new life (spent in real ugly shoes).

I will be able to golf with Tiger Woods, play some hoops with Michael Jordan, throw a few with Tim Tebow, and run a marathon. No prob. Looking forward to it.

Yeah. Let's hope Mr. Podiatrist Head knows what he is talking about.

A Sunny Tuesday in South Florida

1. Well, that rain I, and a zillion people were wishing for, did come these last few days. Plants looks happy, yard looks green, my dirt road looks like a holding pond.

I did notify the county about this road I live on. They did some work on a service road adjacent to my road and while they were doing that, the biggest trucks in the county, used our road a lot. That made huge, elephant size holes in our road, and when it rains, well, it's bad Mr Cunningham...so I emailed the county about it; now, it's a wait and see will they do something before I have to email them again.

2. I have a little fun going with two of my nephews. They write letters to me; I send them money. Now this summer I've sent them each a book ~ part of the Core series ~ One of the boys is going in Second Grade and one in Fifth Grade. So this summer, we will be mailing back and forth about the contents of the books!

This gives me a relationship and time with my nephews that I wouldn't have because I don't get to see them that often. So, I'll be the Aunt Sasha that sends money when you write her ~

Benjamin Franklin said,

If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

So, I figure, I'm emptying my purse into their heads, and paying ahead towards their future interests! It can never hurt!

3. I babysat my son and his fiance's puppy dog this weekend. Oh gee, what an experience that was. I mean, it's not terrible by any means, but I never know what I am doing with a dog. I don't have that gifty thing that some people have with dogs. I don't know that I read them all that well. So, few mistakes? Yes ~ but he's alive and well, and I'm sure he will be genuinely happy to see the ones who can read his dog language.

4. I've finally decided to go to the foot doctor today. It took me long enough.

5. I have discovered Gardening Blogs. There are Others out there who feel that Gardening is a passion. It's just drawing me in something fierce! My project right now will be rooting plants I have. Why? Because I am out of money for new things and this is what I will have to do right now, if I want more plants in my yard. I love it.

Actually, I think I am going to start a Gardening Blog of my own. I think I'll center it around my gardening adventures and great quotes I love - Like Shakespeare's quotes...I'll be making that a reality soon.

6. Right now I have some deadlines to make ~ I've had my second cup of coffee so on with the day!

It's June....

It's hotter than ...many places that are hot as a devil's dungeon.
The rent's due.
The humidity is 1000 degrees attitude.

It's Hurricane Season, and we watch the crabs. If they leave, we buckle down. One June birthday for us, one of my most favorite nieces --if I recall correctly.

I haven't finished two books I started last month and ended up reading a total trash read on Tom Cruise. Sometimes, you just need that kind of mindless blah-blah.

Gas prices are making people very, very upset. Up to over $4.00 a gallon at the cheapest places here pretty much. Hess was holding at $3.99 on Friday, we'll see today when I venture out. Guess we gotta suck it up and not buy stuff from Walmart here in America? Garage sales will boom? Thrift shops will thunder? There is some good stuff in those thrift shops...

I've got food in there for dinner for today, but I will have to start all over for tomorrow. Grocery shopping bores me.

Released two butterflies this weekend. Got tomatoes poppin', and some kind of bean that I can't recognize, my lettuce went holey on me, but the basil and other herbs are doing great.

So the day is hoppin'
And here we go ...

Try hard to not spend time repeating the bad dance steps!! And smile.
Have a good day.

Tu Tranquilo,

Miss Roxie

"So often time it happens, we all live our life in chains, and we never even know we have the key."
~The Eagles, "Already Gone"

I wish it would rain...

You see, I cannot stand _not_ to work in my yard! (I was out there at 7:30)

But I really need to address my house - as in more than, "Hello, House" ....There is actually getting to be no where to sit! And a gardener must have rain to feel good about not being outside!

This is going to be difficult!

I have another butterfly hatching this morning -- I will call her Monica, after a very lovely friend of mine -- and it looks like another one will join in the blossoming this afternoon or tomorrow.

Right now, I must force myself to get going on this inside arena of where I live.

When gardeners garden, it is not just plants that grow, but the gardeners themselves.
- Ken Druse

As the month comes to a close...

...I feel like I am white water rafting. Everything just keeps moving along at this galloping pace. Oh well, that might be horse back riding...Things are going along swimmingly fast...anyway,

The butterflies ~
What a riot this is! I found a caterpillar this morning and one last night that I brought into the protected fold. Then, this afternoon, my little nephew came over and declared, "Look! Aunt Sasha, a caterpillar!" and it was right at the front entrance! There must be some kind of a beaming signal going out alerting them that they can come here for safety.

I have to take another count of how many I have. In raising butterflies, one must be careful that they keep a correct count lest you discard one by accident when you tidy up the homefront. I must have 16, but I will correct count them in the morning.

When one decides to do a thing as this, one must commit to the responsibility of taking care of a life. It's not that much work, but it must be steady on. And it is the most fulfilling feeling to see them burst forth and then take off!! I love it.

Mr. B's job -
No words. It's just the same. Lots of hours, not very much money. He has made a couple of connections for the work he wants to do, though. He has had three side jobs, so we are thankful for that.

He comes home so late at night. He feasts on dried up dinners and does not complain. He says I am a great cook. I think he is greatful that I do cook for him.

All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind. ~~Aristotle

Roses -
Ah, by any other name, you would still love them...

Who knew there was a Mozart Rose!? Not me, but now I would love to get one! I am absolutely supremely fond of my roses. They are not so hard to grow. I'm not sure why people say they are.

I'm not that special of a gardener - at all - and they grow for me and bloom for me all the time. I'm still learning the 'special things' to do for them. The one thing I feed them is coffee grounds. Other than that, H20 and affection is what they get.

Not all my roses have a fragrance. Some of them do more than others, actually, but if you breath them in really deeply, they are soft and lovely.

Perfumes are the feelings of flowers.- Heinrich Heine

The trouble with gardening is that it does not remain an avocation. It becomes an obsession.~~Phyllis Mcginley

Happy Birthday, Mary

This is Mary!

She emerged from her chrysalis late this morning. She is named after a friend of mine with whom she shares a birthday! She is so beautiful. She spent most of the day drying her wings.

Madam B helped in the release this evening. Mary spent some time visiting and when she was ready to fly, she lifted herself effortlessly and took sofly to the wind. We hope she stays around.

Well, we spoke of the changes that would find us farther on

And it left me so warm and so high

But as I stepped back outside to the grey morning sun

I heard that highway whisper and sigh

Are you ready to fly?

~~~Jackson Browne

Sitting on my counter....

There they are. My first two ripe tomatoes! Notice that little zinna just popped in there for a bit of show, I guess. The sun was just going down and that's a bit of it's light on the right side of the photo.

On the ground you can see the egg shells I just put out this morning and haven't worked them in the ground yet. I read that tomatoes need calcium, so there ya' go ...

And here is a close up of my two first fruits. Aren't they just beautiful? Beefsteaks. Lovely, just lovely.

The best fertilizer is the gardener's shadow. ~Author Unknown

A Visit to My House

From Tim's Mom we have been tagged to participate in a Meme that she created ....

If you came to our house--

You would see:

That we live in a little blue house, and there are Plants on the porch and an aquarium with butterflies in it,

then you would walk in a yellow door ~ and see

Roses from my garden in a vase, Plant cuttings on the counter, Madam B's zen table (which is a code name for an area that is never messed up no matter how chaotic the living room gets), shoes lined up by the door, my latest books from the library on the table (which these days are most likely about gardening), magazines...

Pictures that make you think of the beach (One is an autographed print called Turtle Crossing by Dan Mackin, a gift from my brother)

A few family photos, guitars, large speakers,

Cats looking at you.

We'd probably feed you:

Whatever we have which could be peanut butter on a spoon,

Veggies

Taco chips and salsa

or if you are lucky gummy bears (that I try to keep on hand for my nephews)

Grandma's fresh baked bread (if we haven't eaten it already)

Or if you stayed for dinner it might be chicken parmigiana made from scratch

We would offer you this to drink:

Water

Iced Herb Tea or hot, if you like,

and if we made you hot tea, we would use my Shakespean Tea Pot!

Water with ice

Coffee

We'd undoubtedly ask if you'd read:

Actually, we probably wouldn't unless you bring up a subject that has to do with something we've read.

We'd want to play this music for you:

We might ask you what you like, as we have a limited collection that spans a lot of different music. (If I can get away with it, I'd offer Jackson Browne. If I just put on background music, it will be Mozart...or something classical, but probably Mozart.)

We would want to tell you the latest about:

My butterflies or what the cats did, or maybe something exciting like what kind of food is good to feed plants. We don't talk much. You would be comfortable telling us everything about yourself and we would be comfortable listening!

We might get on the computer and show you:

Funny clips from You Tube we have discovered.

If it was a long enough visit, we might watch:

Much Ado About Nothing

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pride and Prejudice

or your choice from our collection

Here in Butterfly Heaven....

We released two more butterflies this morning,

and found three more teeny, tiny, itty bitty caterpillars! I almost used the branch of milkweed they are on to release one of the butterflies! Then, my eye caught a little fellow and by golly, I spied three of them!

This is so fantastic!

Nature is an infinite sphere of which the center is everywhere and the circumference nowhere.
~~Blaise Pascal

I'm just really enjoying all that is happening here!

A thought for today

........A wise sea captain caught in a tropical storm knows that if he holds his vessel on the periphery it will get hurled from one side to the other. If he can reach the eye of the storm, he will enter a place of stillness.

The storm will then subside and the ship can continue its journey. Similarly, when everything around me is changing in a very intense way, the best place for me to seek shelter and refuge is not on the outside, but deep within the self, where I can get in touch with my own inner being, find strength and stability, then come out and do whatever it is I need to.

~~from Thought for Today

So, it seems to be, that when things are the craziest, if we go crazy with them (get caught up in the storm), we are blinded by worry and fear and cannot see any good thing that might be coming around good for us. And, if we happen to see them, we are exhausted in trying to maintain the storm we have been swept into.

What's the trick? As the quote suggests, find that Eye, that center, Your Center. Mine is The Almighty Creator of the Universe. I go to him for strength, comfort, and to find a way back to stillness. I rest myself in nature, in things he has made and created. I believe they are for our calmness of being.

When I can't pray at all, when I don't know what to say or ask for, I just say 'thank you, Lord, thank you, thank you, thank you....'

And peace returns to me.

Ah, but you may as well try and catch the wind...

Eleven Caterpillars....

That's how many little caterpillars we found....

Nine of them have been released. Oh my gosh, they are beautiful. They look like silk

When they first come out, they don't move for a long while. They are drying their wings. It's nerve wracking waiting to make sure they are okay. I can understand why they would be vulnerable to predators. They can't move.

The first two little guys were released about 10 hours after they fully came out of the chrysalis. I thought that might be too early, but they climbed on the stick I offered, let me lift them out, sat for a second or two and then took off.

They were ready to fly!

I wish I could do a better job of posting the pictures in a better kind of an order, but that's something I'll have to get better at on my practice blog.

Meet the new boss....

As a last minute whim, I decided to work in my yard early this morning. The chore I faced was weed pulling, which is a tremendous task in the one area I needed to clear.

So, I go out there, in a pair of very old blue shorts, held together by a just a hint of luck, an ancient, ill fitting pink t-shirt with tiny holes, my dirty sneakers, one gray sock, one white sock, my hat, which sat funny because I had my hair clipped up underneath, so that the hat was sticking up about 2" higher than my head, sunglasses (oh, thank you Lord for the sunglasses)...It doesn't really sound bad, you say?, but trust me on this one ... I need a gardening outfit, and for this very reason:

My son, who lives next door, was going out of town and his rental car was parked in my driveway. He never said _anything_ about riding with anyone...

let alone, his boss. Whom I have never met, I might add.

And as things go, I'm walking across the yard, almost right in front of them, carrying a bunch of weeds, and look up, and there's this nice looking man coming out of my son's house, and I'm like, to myself, "no. You are kidding me..."

But no one was kidding me...
My son says, "Oh that's my mom," and I'm thinking, 'no child, you say that's the lawn lady...'

The boss smiled, (grinned is more like it). I waved the weeds towards him and walked away quickly. As quickly as I could without falling over my shovel.

I know at my age I should get over being embarrassed and wanting to make a good first impression, but oh well....

Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to. ~~Mark Twain

That day may be down the road for me, but it wasn't today.

Watch your back...and your tuna

Jasper, the hoodlum kitty....he cannot be trusted. Shadus has been such a good kitty, until Jasper came.

This afternoon, I made for myself, the most lovely salad....crisp green lettuce, banana peppers, tomatoes (from my garden), cucumber, black olives, raisins, and a bit of salsa, topped with tuna for my daily intake of protein.

I walked into another room for something...can't remember what...but when I came back in -- Jasper and Shadus were up on the counter eating my tuna lunch salad!! Oh, good grief!

Madam B came in and scolded the said kitties and offered to make me another salad. Who knew what to do? Do you eat after a cat? I was not interested in doing that ...

Now, we really have to watch them for awhile about this because, I explained to Madam B, they found a treasure up there! And they will remember that! So, we have the squirt bottles on hand in the kitchen.

Shadus committed no such crimes, actually no crimes, before Jasper came into the fold! Do we blame it on his parents?

Shadus is trying to get his My Space Photo

lined up just right. Looks like he took a good one.

Mr. B is one of Shadus' favorite people.

He follows him around from the time he gets home until he goes to bed.

At one time, that was Shadus' bowl. Jasper claims everything as his now.

I think these two may be candidates for some counseling.

Jasper, Shadus and Cooper

Jasper the Hoodlum Kitty.

This is the kitty that stays up late

working on his skills

Jasper resting in the bowl that did belong to Shadus

Somehow, it just does not seem fair.

This is Cooper on the left. A good friend of ours.

He's sitting in the window with Shadus.

Cooper and Shadus used to play together all the time

until Jasper moved in the neighborhood.

Well, Hello Mr. Toad

What can you say about toads? This is one lone toad that was in my garden yesterday morning. If there were a bunch of them, they would be a knot of toads, but there were not. Only one toad. One lone toad, that hit the road, as soon as he was sure that I was gone. This is the first time I have seen him there, but doubt it be the last.

Anyone looking for a prince?

Rumor has it ......

Little Strawberries

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

~~Doctor Suess

These are not my very first strawberries....they are the second batch of strawberries. I use the term batch in jest.

You see, I ate the first batch (3) and they were so good. This batch, all three of them, I shared with Mr. B. He said they were good. And he was quite surprised!

I had no idea how to grow strawberries. I bought two plants. One I planted in the ground. It did nothing. It didn't even really grow. This one, I put in a hanging pot. Strawberries are supposed to have full sun. This one did not. The other one, which produced nothing, did. So I have moved the other one to a hanging basket.

Another thing I didn't know, along with nothing else on the list of things not known, was how many plants to buy. I have since read that one needs 4 plants per person in the household to have one pint of strawberries per month.

Each of these plants costs me $2.98. I would say then, that four plants per person would be quite an investment at first. But depending on the yield, might be a good one. But I don't know for sure. I'm not really quick at figuring these things out.

Most likely, I would never figure this out. Here's how it would go:

I would have a bunch of strawberry plants on my front porch. There would never be any strawberries on them because we would all eat them every time we passed by them. We would have no idea how many we ate, nor would we have any idea how many were ever produced.

I could probably be happy with that.

And then there were Six!

Six caterpillars!

Yesterday, my nephew Jacob was over. We go over to my mother-in-law's which is right next door. Jacob loves to play with Rita!

While we were doing something in her front yard, I just glanced over and saw a caterpillar hanging by a thread there! So cool. I took him over to my butterfly house.

I walked back over and found another one! And then did this two more times! That made 4.

Then, Later that evening, Rita knocked on my door and she had found another one! And then, this afternoon, same thing, one more fellow!

They all look exactly alike. They are monarchs. Two of them are already on the top of the aquarium so that could mean they are going into the J (we call it) and then into their beautiful chrysalis.

Here at Milkweed Cafe. Com, you can get the complete idea of what happens. It is totally cool to me! I might call the TV station if they all make it!

I'll try to get some of my own photos, and for sure if they all make it to fly away!! Gotta get photos of that!


We will never forget out first Billy Butterfly.

Since they all look apart the same size, I think they will all hatch within a day of each other, if not on the same day.

UPDATE a/o 5/7/08: 4 of them are in the *J* position this morning!!

Saturday Weirdness/Update on Life

I don't know what I did last night to my blog. I must have had too much fiber during the day, and it stymied my brain somehow.

So, this morning, by myself, without having to make an emergency phone call to Tim's Mom, I actually added some links. New friends and Old friends and Best friends.

There are some more I want to add, but my fingers and brain need a wee break. And the kids are taking Mr. B and I to see Iron Man this afternoon, so I need to get going and get ready.

I took some pictures of my garden yesterday, so I want to check those out and post them sometime soon.

Mr. B's Job -- Just horrible. Lots of hours. No decent money at all. I won't even bore you with the details.

He did go to an interview last Thursday that sounds like it might work out for something good, but that will still be two weeks away, and that will be starting with part time, but it sounds like a great long term opportunity, if it lines up as a go.

My garden - Still tending it. Still loving it. Can't believe I am actually SEEING the veggies! Now, I need to learn - When do you take them from the plant?

I know tomatoes need to be red; I got that. But the Peppers - I need to find out when to pick them. And the lettuce! It's all fluffy and soft and beautiful, still tiny....do I transplant it?

The herbs are good. Ready to be used. I am going to plant more. It's easy peasy with herbs.

Gardens always mean something else, man absolutely uses one thing to say another.
~Robert Harbison, Eccentric Spaces, 1977

And my roses! Wow! I have fresh cut flowers in my house all the time! It's wonderful!! I continue to feed them coffee and coffee grounds. And I learned that you must cut the blooms the first year constantly or else you will get just a long leggy plant. I did not know this. The shaping of the Rose Bush comes that first year.

If you want the fullness on the bottom, you must cut those first year blooms. So, in essence, you are forced to have beautiful roses in your home on a regular basis.

I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.
~Claude Monet

Here's a thought - from Vincent Van Gogh:

I tell you, the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.

I couldn't have said it any better myself.

All you need is Love.

What happened? I don't know!

And who clicked what? I don't know what happened. I wanted to change something and ended up with a different blog set up. Now my blog doesn't have the things on the side that I liked.

Oh well, I figure it out tomorrow. For tonight, I'm sure there's no one needs to find their way around better than what will be there. So, it's late. Tomorrow.

Candy Math

Candy is special.

Oh, how cleverfully useful and wonderful is candy. We all know that candy can make us feel better sometimes, makes a good gift in a pinch, and kids light up even at the mere mention of the sweet product, but I've found that candy is most useful for math. Children always know what's fair when it comes to dealing with candy.

Last Wednesday, I was in the library with my nephew, Zack. He's in the third grade. We were working on math. Two other third grade boys were doing homework at the same table. They all knew each other from different situations in life, and so, we were kind of chatting.

The other two little boys said that division was just so hard. They said, "We can't understand it at all!" Actually, they more declared it.

I said, "You do understand it."

"No, we don't, " they said emphatically.

"Ahhh, but you do," I smiled. "Let me ask you a question. If I put 6 pieces of candy here on the table and told you three boys you could share it, how many pieces would you each get?"

"TWO!!" came the answer from each of them Loud and Clear.

"See," I said. "You just divided." (And you're doing story problems.)

Stunned faces were looking at me. I went on with another problem, each time increasing the amount of candy and increasing the amount of people that it should be divided between and never once did they give a wrong answer!

When I put in the 'odd number' piece of candy, as in, "there are 4 of us, and we have 13 pieces of candy," they came up with the most devilish ideas of how to reckon with the extra piece.

My nephew said, "We could cut it in four pieces." (And now we are into fractions!)

"What if you are not allowed to use a knife?" I said.

"I could put the extra piece in my pocket!""I could bite it once and pass it around for everyone to bite!""I could eat it quickly and no one would see!"

(But never in one scenario would they throw it away!)

At the end of the conversation, they were wishing that math examples could all be done with candy and that they could eat it all at the end of each lesson. They were wishing for 50 million pieces of candy divided by the 28 students in the class and delightfully dealing with ways to handle the overage for each student!

What is it about candy? It is just one of those sweet and special things. It can even help you with your math.

Candy - such a useful concept